Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

OK Kurt now you’re just baiting me! My mind loves to chew on this stuff. The origin of the diminished seventh chord is the 7th° degree of the harmonic minor scale. So: C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-B harmonized from B = B-D-F-Ab > Bdim7.

What the Dim7 chord is called depends on the context and often involves a naming-change where sharps/flats can be used in the same spelling of the chord. In context, spelling can change if its function is a leading tone as compared to a dominant function. The adjustment is made based on context.

This explanation an 50 cents will get you a cup of coffee!

Thanks Ken! This is helping.

So, a diminished 7th chord is the 7th degree of the harmonic minor scale.
The Edim7 chord is just passing in the Bb jazz blues. Eb is the 4th note of the key of Bb,,and the note E is the sharp 4 of Bb, not in the key of Bb.
For Edim7, I related the notes of the chord to the E Major scale, not the songs' key which is Bb/G minor.
I was thinking the natural 6th degree of the key of E is C#. When I saw Tomo name it Db I spaced out and forgot it was the same note as C#!
The double flatted 7th note from the chord's Major scale is the natural 6th note located one whole step below the natural 7th degree of that major scale.
I owe you a coffee! I need something stronger :-)
Thanks so much!
Kurt

Hey Kurt, that is really cool how you worked that out in the forum -=logically=. A lot to write, yet you proved how it worked in comparison of two relative keys. I have also wondered about this topic with E and C- using sharps vs. Flats. You got me reviewing the relativity theory again, and yes it makes sense. Good to review. Now my question is when to apply a dim7 to what scale degree, any degree or mainly minor 2nd, and major 7th, or anywhere that fits in theory ?? In Bb jazz blues has is a diminished perfect 4rth or Ebdim7. Musical Brain teasers. .Thank you, - johno

Well, Seattle is the coffee capital of the US! So how about a cuppa and then a visit to see Joe? Double expensive entendres!

Tomo sees Edim7 here as #4 diminished which I like. Can it be seen in a dominant context?: Eb7(b9):
rootless where E is the b9 of Eb. If you spell it out you’ll see it as related to Eb7.

Because diminished 7th spawns from harmonic minor it is difficult to see it related to the major scale. It will hurt.

Seventh degree of major scale is often referred to as half diminished 7th: in C: B-D-F-A (half diminished). So technically the proper naming of a diminished 7th chord would be to call it a “diminished-diminished 7th”, but who has time for that! We are left with a mind tweaker due to the language that’s used.

This is helpful Ken and John! Come on up and over to Seattle and we'll have coffee, buy expensive guitars and get diminished-diminished or at least half- diminished :-)
Kurt

Ken, great tip! Yes, I use first finger for high E string muting on that 5th string root R-3-7 chord.
Do you use your thumb for muting the low 6th string E on those 5th string root chords? Or do you try to use the tippy tip of the second finger to mute that 6th string low E? I've been trying to keep my thumb low whenever I can.
Kurt

Hey Sammi,

Me too! I can't wait to hear what people are picking up and assimilating here at Guitar Wisdom.
Please tell me the great and powerful Tomo is not making you and George work today? It is a holiday.
Of course, I'm wearing my Frank Zappa for President shirt for the day. It's becoming a tradition :-)

Kurt

"Music is the only religion that delivers the goods"- Frank Zappa

"There are only two things to remember. Number one... Don't Stop! and number two...Keep Going!". - F.Z.

I like that tradition! Lol Tomo would never do such a thing. I think we naturally work almost every day. It's hard not to when we care so much about this place and its people! But don't worry, we also rest.

Ditto to Sammi! I love this thread!

Oh!... We had a great meeting today!
No matter what... every Mondays 2pm EST is our meeting time!
We talk, discuss, take notes! So we all have our new homework to do!

I agree with Frank!
Lovely quotes!

Thank you for sharing!
Tomo

Good job Sergio!

Best way to learn the fretboard is to play Major scale on one string with one finger super slow and triad inversions.

And best to not write any scales or chord diagrams! That makes you stuck!
Thank you.

Tomo

I still practice chromatic scale super slow so that I can really check all important points!
Then ....

Thank you Ken!

Tomo

Since Chromvember, I try to start all practicing by warming up with the chromatic scale. I notice some bad habits that try to return.

Good work Linda!
I practice chromatic scale on 4th string everyday!

Thank you.
Tomo

Warming up is important. I was a dumb ass the other day....again. I heard about a guy who said he did 5 sets of 47 pushups in the morning. I wondered if I could do 1 set of 47 pushups on my knees. Later that morning I wondered why my left hand and wrist and thumb were getting sore. Much better today.
Kurt

Be careful Kurt! I don't believe common sense & internet examples.

I keep my pace and I do things case by case. Yes! Slow & less is.... double more!

Tomo

Yes! Analyze is good to know about the details but moderation on moderation (What Matt Schofield used to say!) Balance is so important!

In Japanese old saying... " 腹８分目 " means you only need to eat about 80% of food. (Don't eat too much! Don't eat full! ...

Thank you.
Tomo

That is a great way to look at the big picture Sergio. Thanks!
I also really liked your reminder to "Read the notes, don't cheat." When I slowly work on reading a small section of music for a long time, I start to memorize it. I've heard some people will turn their book or page of music upside down! Then read and play the notes on the page. Just pure reading.
Kurt

True story Kurt! I have to always remind myself to don't just memorize this and be in the moment. Was to many years just memorizing and do it by ear, its easy for me to memorize and forget the notes. I really have to focus to learn, thanks for the upside down tip, for now just identifying the notes is a challenge by it self 😅I will remember that in the future
Cheers!
Sérgio

Sergio, Don't worry! Super Slow! You will get there eventually!

Best not to hurry!

Thank you.

Tomo

Great suggestion Kurt!

Or adding sharps or flats ... even double flats!

Tomo

Kurt re: turn the page upside down and play....I've also heard people say "play it backwards".

Good job Linda!
I'm really looking forward to working on those new Essential Theory lessons. I've been hanging out on lesson ET01 C Major Scale. I can actually sing my Do Re Mi's backwards from the 13th fret, 2nd string, before I play the notes. I've been here a while ear training and feel good about moving on, but I'll be back reviewing it. This forum is so helpful reminding me of stuff I need to go back and review. Love it here!
Kurt

Thanks so much Kurt! I am having so much fun remaking these lessons!

Play C Major scale on 2nd strings without looking at the fretboard!
Watch out left finger pressure (super relaxed)
Sustain each note a little longer.
Right hand palm muting!

Then you can change it to C Natural minor scale.
Good training!

This way you are mixing guitar lesson & Theory lesson and Ear Training.
That's why I don't use any tabs. (Not really helping!)

Tomo

Thank you so much for these crucial reminders Tomo! I needed it. C minor is refreshing after pounding away on C Major. I'lI need to learn the little words to sing for b3 Eb, b6 Ab and b7 Bb :-)
Kurtis

You're very welcome Kurt!

I did ask this question to many students at Berklee (just in case!)
Then we found a few quality issues.

3 flats! Fun!

Thank you.

Tomo

Thank you Linda, Kurt & Tomo!
I 'm doing this too. Learning the key of G in 1st string .
Sometimes seems this already become a routine . ( Just want to stay this Key for 3 weeks)
Thanks for remind , expect G Major Scale , I can learn other scale in key of G:)